No need to declare a state of emergency, PM says

PM Skerrit in a pensive mood ahead of his first address to the nation after TS Erika

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has said that he has consulted on whether a state of emergency should be declared in Dominica in the wake of Tropical Storm Erika and has been advised that there is no need to take such action.

In his nightly update to the nation on post Erika recovery efforts, PM Skerrit said he does not believe the political directorate should take such a serious decision without seeking advice.

Further, he noted that there are a number of implications that would result if a state of emergency is declared in Dominica. He explained that declaring a state of emergency means the suspension of many rights of citizens. He added that doing so will compromise the Government’s ability to do what is necessary to restore the island which was severely affected by Tropical Storm Erika, Skerrit said.

Skerrit also pointed out that declaring a state of emergency does not mean the US would react to the situation in Dominica as it would if one of its own states declares a state of emergency in the event of a disaster.

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66 Comments

Like or Dislike: 00Truth and JusticeSeptember 6, 2015

You people re so not thinking, the PM is right, you all have lived in America too long. Dominica did not need a state of Emergency which woud mean everybody inside by sunset. Ts that what you all would want. It is a disaster, and disaster relief will come, but it is not a reason for STate of emergency when, we are not ooters, that is the criminals in Florida. It is because the Florida governor does not trust the population that he declared a state of emergency. As Dominicans we know how to behave in an emergency, the PM made the right call. He was wrong to go join those cult people on the 4/11,14. That is why the heavens fell on Dominica, good fighting evil. All u see the hastily renamed airport washout. Wait, for more of the wrath of Nature to fall on a hard hearted people, not thinking, too much demon worship going on in D/ca.

So someone made a great point…
while D/a was getting hit by this lil tropical strom I was in route on a flight to Fort Myers Florida. I actually found out about the storm while flipping though channels on the flight.
Whiles in Florida the governor called a STATE OF EMERGENCY ( in big vast Florida ) and the storm did not even get to florida yet.
So Mr. PM, tell us why again you don’t want to call a state of emergency, or why you think it’s in the best interest for Dominica to NOT get help.
florida is plenty times larger than Dominca, they called a state of emergency though for this little strom they called emergency. So why you think Dominica could handle it . natural forces don’t play, everything in its way will get push aside.. use your head a lil wiser sir Skerro.

What Mr Skerrit did not say is more interesting than what he said. He did not say who he consulted. Himself?Cabinet and cronies (same as himself)? China? Venezuela? Cuba? Morocco? Imagine how desperately that group would want to block the US from facilitating fast recovery and gaining the people’s gratitude. He also did not say what rights citizens would lose in a state of emergency. Therefore, citizens can’t assess the practicality of giving up some of their rights in exchange for greater international help and faster recovery. Remember, citizens routinely give up some rights in emergencies ( e.g. involuntary evacuation is an option and ‘trespass’ does not apply to emergency relief teams). The PM’s explanation for this decision has glaring gaps; this is what fuels public speculation about him wanting to control things at any cost.

The look on Mr. PM face in that pic is priceless.
Looks like you have no clue on what to do next hah Mr. PM ?
You lack so much of what a leader should be it’s not even funny.
For the amount of damage in the country, but to Mr. PM that’s no emergent situation at all.
I guess the ppl of Dominica should just resume to the normal life hah Mr. PM Skero.
Don’t look to me like Dominica in any normal state right now, but you know best Mr.PM, no urgency in this matter at all. ( to you )
So back to normal Dominica nothing to worry about.
But don’t forget about the amount of ppl past away just from this one little storm.
no need to prepare for a much worse hurricane Mr.Skero. Keep everything just the same, DA good to go.
Hopefully the next storm don’t do as much damage. let’s hope, all we can do is hope because you know there is not going to be any improvement for such disasters.

The type of mind you have, you misunderstood his pensive attitude. He is reading some information. What is your problem with that? Why put a meaning which is yours and yours alone, according to your mentality?

There was no State of Emergency, but the rights of the Salisbury people were violated for pleading for Years for repairs to their farm roads.

What about the rights of the PWC workers who have been facing serious problems as far as payment to them for work done. Even their social security payments were not paid for Years.

What about Dominicans rights to Free and Fair elections?

What about Dominicans’ right to be informed of Passport sales and transparency/accountability re. the nation’s business?

Note well, it is Dominicans on Island, who were first, on the ball, in this time of crisis to begin mopping up activities. DOMLEC, DOWASCO, MARPIN, LIME, ordinary citizens who are on the ground, working in terrible situations. Where are all those foreigners selling our passports and making millions, as we speak?

Have we heard from the “Illuminati” from Rome?

Who is the D/ca’s Ag. High Commissioner to England? what is the role of that person in England?

but he fears the US comes and take away the rights of Dominican, but Mr.Skerro you yourself doing the same thing to D/a ppl. Oh I see, it’s good for you to take away ppl right but not good for others…ok Mr.PM. I overstand sir..

I agree with the Prime Minister… despite the damage caused by the passage of Tropical Storm Erika, the situation does not require the country to placed under a state of emergency… In my opinion, the country suffered, the recovery and rebuilding has started and DOMINICA IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS… Let’s put all our differences aside and join in the rebuilding effort… This is not a DLP or UWP or any political party playground… so let’s come together to help build a better, stronger, more resilient country… OUR DOMINICA

This is almost laughable, can’t believe we have people eating this up. “A state of emergency means a suspension of citizens rights”? Lol please explain what rights we will lose, I’m assuming Haitians lost their rights after declaring state of emergency after the earthquake? We need to maximize the possibility to get help in D.A, and if that means state of emergency, that’s what it is. We are not an oil nation where we have to fear America taking over our oil reserves. D.A if not a country in Civil chaos therefore a state of emergency has a different meaning, in this situation we are looking for help with infrastructure, food and medical aid. We can’t continue to eat garage from our leaders, we need to ask the right questions, challenge our leaders so they can always put the people first, and they can fear the people. Common sense tells me a state of emergency is needed here. We need to maximize all the help we may or likely get through different procedures, state of emergency…

Do the critics not know what a state of emergency means?
The PM is correct.
Furthermore, tropical storm Erika struck almost a week ago. Nationals are trying to pick up the pieces, so-to-speak and doing what they can to restore their life to normal in addition to helping others who are in need. It will be a long process but a state of emergency is not necessary. Should there be one, it means no work, no movement or they have to be indoors at a certain time. If we look at it from that aspect, it is not required.
The PM was honest. Yes! If there is a state of emergency consider the seriousness of it. Dominica will really not receive the required help. They will fear coming to Dominica or helping it.
This is what a state of emergency means. Can some of you who think you are more intelligent than others and consistently critical, not use your brains, heads and think, to comprehend what the PM meant about the US if there was a state of emergency?

Why would anyne think a state of emergency wa needed. This is a disaster, not a war, and we are not America, . I applaud the PM n that call right call. Now if the people were out looting and fighting it wouldhave been a differnt situation, but everyone is co-operating, once the PM manages this impartially, things will be fine.

This is the most selfish decision I have ever seen in Dominica. This man is a self absorbed feller who thinks that he owns Dominica and Dominicans. How could you not have declared a state of emergency when all communications were down to the outside world, not road network and not airports?! There were many criteria after the first 24 hours to call for one. But again it does not matter how much Dominicans are suffering , once it all about Skerro, he don’t care about us.
No one advised him, he did this all by himself , we all know that he does not like to take advised from any one. Thinks he is an expert on every subject.
It is sad that Dominicans are not seeing that it is either their survival or Skerriit’s.
It is time for Skerrit to resign and give more competent people the rebuild Dominica.
A true leader who knows what he is doing would have called a state of emergency to allow faster international relief to come in.
“Is he hiding something?” Time will tell.

I am saddened by what the pm said cause dominica is in need of a state emergency.and the people of America keep wondering it is so bad and your PM does not want to declear this.what is really going on free money and. Junking power.this does not look good cause if your PM did official ask the US for help things would be handle better.this is just to much my daughter is at Rose and I do hope that Dominicans do not leave their lives in the hands of the PM.sorry to say this man in not right.good luck Dominica cause he said that this hurrican put the country 20 years behind well to me 40 years because I do hope the monies goes to do the right thing God. Help your country.my daughter will be returning to the US.

Totally agreed…no need for declaration of State of Emergency. Some people need to educate themselves concerning maters before they go blah blah blah. Now is time for we Dominicans to come together, take care of each other and stop waiting on a broke Government to do it all. We claim to be strong and resilient lets start acting like it. The Americans and Chinese are not responsible for rebuilding our country they got their own problems.

To all the people touting the “we will lose our rights as a citizen” line, I challenge you right here, right now: tell me about those rights. Explain to me those rights that you are so concerned about losing. And no, do not turn to Google, do not go digging in those big green law books. If these rights are so dear to your heart, then surely you should be able to articulate them without hesitation, so let’s hear them.

“He explained that declaring a state of emergency means the suspension of many rights of citizens. He added that doing so will compromise the Government’s ability”(Roosevelt Skerrit).

That is the worst bit of hogwash I’ve ever read or heard!

Only in Dominica: Maybe I am not fluent in the English language, nor do I comprehend the English language, however, if we brake it down in parts, we will discover that the word “State” means different situations, however we can say a mode or condition of being. Emergency, on the other hand is simply defined as an unforeseen combination of circumstances, or the resulting state that requires immediate action; such as an urgent need for assistance or relief.

What does that have to do with government unable to function, and would cause the suspension of citizen rights; baloney!

The only time a state of emergency should affect the life’s of the citizens of a country is in the event of a civil war, or civil disturbances, such as a riot!

Now if people were in the country breaking into stores, stealing; and a state emergency was declared because of that, then the police would have a right to shoot kill!

Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahhahahahahah!

Nevertheless, after a disaster such as we have in Dominica, a state of emergency can be declared without affecting any personal life. A State of emergency was declared in certain areas of California, earlier this summer when the fires were burning, that State of Emergency had no legal effect on the day to day living of any citizen of California.

There is no room for politics right now, why are your hearts so colorful,
Peoples lost their lives, but you all don’t care, you all are consuming by an evil heart that is politically motivated,
Unity right now is more important than division
this is an opportunity for us to come together as a peoples as a nation
You all are hearing what God is saying,
when the earthquake sometime this month I will want to hear you all, because this one will affect everyone

Politics aside, Some of you have your Morales mixed up with your moral obligations. After Erica hit D/a, Rick Scott, governor of Florida, declared a state of emergency for the entire state of Florida – Erica was still afar off, mind you, and there was no assurance it was going to strike them. Considering the state of affairs, how is the entire country of Dominica NOT in a state of emergency? The fan has finally been shat!!! tout moun fou!!

TOUT MOUN FOU!!! IS RIGHT
Big florida brace themselve for a lil storm but for this strom PM skerro felt that there should not be no emergency for D/a. After all the aftermath, do you still feel that why sir?

Mr Skerritt is entirely correct. As dreadful as the situation was and is, there was no need to abridge citizens’ rights. And I can’t help but think that all those now complaining he didn’t institute a state of emergency would instead be calling him a dictator if he had done so.

this is an accurate statement. there is no need for Dominica to be controlled by an overseas body. i don’t want to lose my right and freedom. giving them control means tht they will treat us like wat they think we are (a set of backwards thinking ppl), putting our needs last.

Steve, Skerrit is talking nonsense, in that case he is confirming to the world that we do not need any assistance; we need no help; that is foolish, because there is a state of emergency existing in Dominica at the moment! If there was no state of emergency, why talk about almost a thousand people was evacuated from villages and brought into Roseau?

Why is Ian Douglas talking about Portsmouth is cut off from the rest of the country. If there was no emergency why a search, and rescue was implemented?

Thirdly, they claimed that some of those they evacuated are housed at DGS, how long are they going to be housed on school premises, it is an emergency to find homes for all the affected displaced, even those who lost everything and a shacking with relatives!

An emergency is declared based on the magnitude of damages caused by a hurricane,earthquake, flood or fire, or any other emergency!

How come this was not the case when a state of emergency was declared for st lucia back in 2010, when a similar disaster occurred…………when will you all stop allowing skerrit to fool you all…..he will not call a state of emergency because this will leave him open to many things and lost of power.

You are also correct. Some of them have done enough of that especially in the past year or two when a storm was imminent. You know the saying, darned if I do and darned if I don’t. One way or the other, some people cannot be pleased.

Are you familiar with the term “Drosophila;” there are many different species, at least Lennox is not a fly, because flies evolved from decaying substances such as feces!

So, think of your status before you have anything to say about someone who was born a human by natural processes. I wonder from what species of drosophila you evolve with your disgusting mentally deranged mind; you parasite!

Dum dum… why are people like you always concerned with money and what other people have? a State of emergency means curfew, citizens cannot walk the streets and can be shot on site, it means the police and military take over the Island and are lead directly by the Prime Minister Dominica is not Haiti, Africa or America, the majority of our citizens do not rob and steal from each other. yes there are karwats running around but they know when they show there face is blows they getting. We police ourselves.

You are a fool, ignorant of the fact! State of emergencies are called for different reasons. For instance, if there is civil disorder in a country where there is rioting, looting and people are getting killed; under such circumstances people could be banned from the streets from dust till dawn!

Or even told to remain in their homes!

Or could be told not to travel in certain places within certain hours. A curfew could mean a regulation enjoining the withdrawal of usually specific persons such as juveniles, or military personal from the streets; or the closing of business establishments or places of assembly at a stated hour.

No condition exists in Dominica right now which warrants a curfew. There are legal grounds on which a curfew must be ordered; however, there are no legal grounds at the moment for a curfew!

Skerrit is simply talking crap: he consulted with who? If he did, it would appear to me his counselors are all idiots! He continuously take bad stupid advise…

Hot debate. What do you think? 4244DDSeptember 2, 2015

Someone definitely loves the taste of power, what rights do we have that the u.s will take away. Hahaha… Man… They will take u out. U sweating now… U fraid they dethrone u skerro. This is Dominica’s chance to jump foward ten years…. But u want to spend that ten years fooling ppl… I can hear it now -Champagne 2020-“We will rebuild petite savanne! A new bridge in boetica! With help from the Chinese construction of a new bridge

Another ungrateful one. You should thank God for sparing your life during tropical storm Erika and that the situation was not worst for Dominica. It could have been you know. Next time you will be not be spared.

Venezuela was the first country on the scene, the first plane to land in in Douglas Charles after the flood was a Venezuelan plane. Whats your point. ‘Chance to jump forward ten years’ don’t you see that the country is totally devastated its digressed 20 years. Water, communications and Power were restored to most of the Island in the fist week… it took 20 years to recover from Hurricane David, i grew up without lights and running water.
Skeritt is the only Prime Minister that has brought this country forward in such a short period of time. He has established the relationships with governments that past Prime ministers sought… actually i’m wasting my time, knowledge is an offense to a fool!

I see. And since he sees and knows it all, he sat by and let the storm destroy us, right? Or was it all part of some big mysterious ‘plan?’ Are you really able to worship something who you believe casually lets such terrible disasters happen?

Lets stop the politics thing. those who have Given the Responsibility to distribute water and other needs plz put aside that politics thing , plz put away that RED POLITICAL SHIRT its time for nation building

Obviously, their is no need for a state of emergency, because it would not be in the interest of Skeritt. According to a local lawyer, if a state of emergency is declared, the master mine behind the coolwash brigade of 1979 which toppled Patrick, would be in charge of the country.

Chris Mann if you are a Dominican and you live in or out of Dominica and have been following the happenings in Dominica; the final line of the statement makes a whole lot of sense to the majority of us, who have been hearing to views expressed by a few.

There is no “state of emergency in DA”. and no reason for it. The fact that the PM has to even ask someone is a sign that he is not in charge. He will defer taking away the citizens rights in a time of emergency to another party.
Lack of planning is what is responsible for the dire mess that ensued as a result of Erika, and this wasn’t even a hurricane. Forward thinking needs to be implemented on all levels and don’t wait for the govt. to initiate anything. People need to start taking responsibility for their living situations and not live in areas which are subject to unstable soil situations which can result in mudslides. People have to start coming together as communities and forget about the govt.

I can understand the ordinary folks not taking this storm as seriously as a full fledged hurricane, but one would think the disaster preparedness people are trained and should anticipate some sort of destruction in the event of a tropical storm. They ought to have know better and advised the populace accordingly. They failed miserably and should be held accountable.

You can’t forget government. You put them in charge to do your work. If they not doing a good job you FIRE them. You don’t forget them and let them twavay away to build bigger houses and more duty free for they and their friends. Then add on that you born labour and will die labour. See if the mud and the aftermath will worry which color you are. See where you’ll end up even if you have to go change into your labour t-shirt and cap for the camera to see you. You put your SERVANT (Not King) to run YOUR business. Faster you learn that the wiser you’d be.
Labourites should cancel their US Visas and get ALBA Visas. SMH.

What is wrong with he asking? Utilize your common sense. He probably had a relevant conversation with someone and asked the person’s view. It could have been his deputy. Who knows? There is nothing wrong with that. The same way we ask another for advice, “What do you think of that?”

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